THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9409010691
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ABE GOLDBLATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Despite having only one senior, coach Sonny Travis thinks his Virginia Wesleyan soccer team could be one of his best.
``We have a great junior and sophomore class and some strong freshmen,'' says Travis, whose Marlins last season finished 16-4-2, second to Roanoke in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, and ranked among the top 16 Division III teams nationally. ``We have the ability to score a lot of goals.''
Topping the list of eight returning starters are two first-team All-NCAA South Atlantic Region picks: senior midfielder Mike Duffy (12 goals in 1993) and junior striker Evan Whitson (16 goals, nine assists).
Local talent abounds: junior midfielder Ryan Crooks (Great Bridge), sophomore striker Che Clark (Churchland), junior striker Jim Hickling (Kempsville), a 10-goal man in 1993; sophomore midfielder Larry Romaine (Green Run).
Other top returnees include sophomore goalie Scott Morgenroth, a second team All-ODAC pick, and junior back Tyke Pantophlet.
Travis is also counting on sophomore defender Tony Domenick, sophomore midfielder Colin Taylor and junior goalie Jeremy Blake.
Newcomers include midfielder Gary DePalma; sophomore defender Brady Hussey (Kempsville), a transfer from Shenandoah College; defender Steve O'Mara (Bayside), defender Nathan Hatcher (Norfolk Christian); midfielder Thomas Hron (Kempsville), striker Ryan Laidlaw (Butler, Pa.) and Dwain Ayers, the all-time leading scorer at Churchland and a transfer from Delaware Tech.
Wesleyan opens its season against William Paterson (N.J.) in the Blue Marlin Kickoff at 1 p.m. Saturday. Following that game, Hiram (Ohio) College and Juniata meet at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Wesleyan will play Hiram at 3 p.m., after a William Paterson-Juniata match at 1. Admission is free. by CNB